moshe safdie: khalsa heritage center

‘khalsa heritage center’ by safdie architects, anandpur sahib, punjab, indiaview of northern elevation all images © ram rahman

international practice safdie architects has completed the ‘khalsa heritage center’ located in anandpur sahib, punjab, india. slated to officially open this fall, the new museum complex is dedicated to the sikh people, commemorating 500 years of history and the 300th anniversary of khalsa, scriptures written by the notable and final guru, gobind singh. overlooking the adjacent town, the 75 acre site is divided by a ravine and interconnected with a pedestrian bridge.

the western half contains an entry piazza, auditorium, extensive library and interchangeable exhibition spaces. on the eastern half of the site, galleries with permanent displays are housed within a series of five concave peaked roofs prefacing the dramatic himalayan mountains. each gallery within the cluster represents one of the five virtues symbolic of the sikh faith. arcades of cast in place concrete columns support the exterior faced with sand colored gwalior stone. the stainless steel roof acquires qualities of the changing atmospheric conditions while water is directed through the ravine introducing a reflective water garden.

view of entrance

gallery buildings and reflecting ponds

view of gallery buildings

gallery building’s five roofs

view of pedestrian bridge leading towards southern complex

gallery

view from nearby anandpur sahib

project info:

client: anandpur sahib foundation associate architect: ashok dhawan architects public opening: fall 2011 total area: 250,000 square feet total cost: 21 million USD